Insecticidal compositions containing certain tetraorganotin compounds and method for using same

ABSTRACT

Many varieties of harmful insects which attack useful plant crops can be controlled by treating the plants with compositions containing at least one tetraorganotin compound wherein three of the four hydrocarbon groups bonded to the tin atom are methyl and the remaining group is substituted aromatic or heterocyclic that is either bonded directly to the tin atom or separated from the tin atom by one methylene group. These compounds exhibit unexpectedly superior insecticidal activity relative to organotin compounds containing three methyl groups and a phenyl or an alkyl-substituted phenyl group.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART STATEMENT

This invention relates to compositions for controlling many varieties of insects which are harmful to agricultural and ornamental crops. The compositions contain an inert diluent and an effective amount of certain tetraorganotin compounds which exhibit excellent and unexpected activity when compared to closely related trimethyl tetraorganotin compounds. In addition, the compounds exhibit reduced levels of phytotoxicity compared to trimethyltin compounds disclosed in the prior art.

The biological activity of compounds containing 3 hydrocarbon radicals bonded to a tin atom is well known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,177 discloses that tricyclohexyltin compounds effectively control arachnids, particularly spider mites, however these compounds are generally ineffective as insecticides. The use of certain trialkyltin compounds, including bis(trimethyltin)oxide and trimethyltin chloride as insecticides is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,702,360. While these trialkyltin compounds effectively control insects, their high phytotoxicity makes them impractical for commercial use.

Compounds containing 4 hydrocarbon groups bonded to a tin atom have for a long period of time been considered to possess, at best, only slight biological activity. In a text entitled "Chemistry of Organotin Compounds" R. C. Poller states that insecticidal activity is largely confined to compounds with three Sn-C bonds. He further states that variations in the nature of the fourth group attached to tin do not produce any striking effects. Despite this general statement a number of organotin compounds wherein the tin atom is bonded to three non-substituted hydrocarbon groups and a fourth hydrocarbon group containing a functional group, which often contains sulfur, have been disclosed as being effective insecticides. Patents claiming this type of organotin compound are discussed in detail in a subsequent portion of this specification.

It is an objective of this invention to provide organotin compound exhibiting insecticidal activity equivalent to trimethyltin compounds but with reduced levels of phytotoxicity, thereby making possible application of compositions containing these compounds to living plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compositions for protecting plants against damage by insects, said compositions consisting essentially of an inert diluent and an insecticidally effective amount of a tetraorganotin compound of a formula selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## wherein said --O--(CH₂)_(p) O-- group is bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the phenyl ring, m is 0 or 1, p is 1 or 2, R¹ and R² are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, aryl, --OR³, --SR³, --NR⁴ R⁵, ##STR2## --PO(OR⁴)OR⁵, --PO(R⁴)R⁵ and C.tbd.N, wherein R³ is alkyl and contains from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, X.sup.⊖ is an anion selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, iodide, bisulfate, acetate and methyl sulfate and Y.sup.⊕ is a cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and ammonium and Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## wherein R⁷ is alkyl containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and aromatic mono- and bicyclic heterocyclic groups wherein each ring contains 5 or 6 atoms including one or two heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur with the proviso that Z cannot be pyridyl, furyl or thienyl when m is 0 and the heterocyclic groups are active-hydrogen free. The term "active hydrogen" refers to a hydrogen atom bonded to nitrogen or other group which makes the hydrogen atom reactive toward organometallic compounds such as organolithium and organosodium compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The active toxicant of the present insecticidal compositions are tetraorganotin compounds containing four carbon-tin bonds, three of which are methyl groups. The fourth valence of the tin atom is satisfied by a benzyl, substituted phenyl or monovalent aromatic heterocyclic group that is either monocyclic or bicyclic. The heterocyclic group can be either bonded directly to the tin atom through a cyclic carbon atom or separated from the tin atom by a methylene group. The phenyl or benzyl group can contain one or two inert monovalent substitutents, represented by R¹ and R² in the preceding formula. Alternatively, the substituent can be of the formula --O--(CH₂)_(p) O-- wherein the two oxygen atoms are bonded to adjacent cyclic carbon atoms of a phenyl or benzyl group and p is the integer 1 or 2.

The nature and degree of activity exhibited by a given compound is greatly influenced by the fourth group attached to the tin atom. Phenyl- and hydrocarbyl- substituted phenyltrimethyltin compounds such as phenyltrimethyltin, o-tolytrimethyltin and p-xylytrimethyltin are relatively inactive against insects, as will be demonstrated by the data in the accompanying examples. The compounds of this invention are structurally similar to these inactive compounds but show an unexpected insecticide activity which in many cases is equal to or greater than that shown by certain commercial insecticides that are used as standards by those skilled in the art.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,988,145 discloses novel organotin compounds of the general formula A--SO₂ --CH₂ SnR₃ ¹ where A is alkyl of from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, aryl, substituted aryl, or R₂ N, where each R is alkyl of from 1 to 14 carbon atoms and each R¹ is alkyl of from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, or aryl.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,191 discloses novel (organosulfinylmethyl) triorganotin compounds of the formula R--SO--CH₂ SnR₃ ¹ where R is alkyl of from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, aryl or a substituted aryl group and each R¹ is an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The compounds in the aforementioned patents allegedly exhibit insecticidal and acaricidal properties.

The compounds of the present invention differ from compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,988,145 and 3,987,191 in that the aryl or heterocyclic ring is bonded directly to the tin atom or is separated by only one methylene radical. No heteroatom is present in the linkage between the tin atom and the aryl or heterocyclic radical.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,672 claims (hydrocarbylphenylsulfonyl)alkyltrimethyl stannanes of the general formula ##STR4## where each R¹ is the same or different and is linear or branched alkyl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic having 4 to 6 carbon atoms or linear or branched alkenyl having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, m is an integer from 1 to 3 and n is an integer from 2 to 11. Once again, the phenyl group is isolated from the tin atom by a sulfur atom. In addition, data in the accompanying examples demonstrate that compounds wherein the substituent or the phenyl group is alkyl are relatively ineffective insecticides. The compounds of this invention differ from the compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,672 in two important aspects. A minimum of two methylene groups and a sulfur dioxide group are not required between the tin atom and the aryl group and the substitution on the aryl group is not an alkyl or other hydrocarbon radical. Furthermore, the compounds disclosed in this patent are prepared using trimethyltin hydride, a volatile, unstable and highly toxic compound as one of the starting materials. This reagent is not employed to prepare the present compounds.

Certain of the present tetraorganotin compounds containing a substituted phenyl or a benzyl group bonded to the tin atom are conveniently prepared by reacting the corresponding phenyl- or benzyl magnesium halide with trimethyltin chloride. The reaction of arylmagnesium compounds with stannic halides or organotin halides is well known and does not constitute any part of the present invention. Alternatively the compounds can be prepared by reacting trimethyltin lithium or trimethyltin sodium with a halobenzene or an α-halotoluene.

Those tetraorganotin compounds wherein Z in the foregoing formula represents a heterocyclic radical can be prepared by reacting the corresponding heterocyclic halide, such as 2-bromopyridine, with an alkyllithium compound and trimethyltin chloride. Alternatively, trimethyltin lithium or trimethyltin sodium is reacted with the heterocyclic halide. The accompanying examples contain detailed procedures for preparing both of the foregoing types of compounds.

The radical Z in the generic formula of the present tetraorganotin compounds represents an aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic residue wherein each ring contains 5 or 6 atoms, at least one of which is a nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen atom. Suitable heterocyclic precursors for preparing this class of compounds can be represented by the formula Z-X wherein X is a halogen atom, preferably chlorine or bromine, that is bonded to a carbon atom. When the heterocyclic group represented by Z contains a nitrogen atom, the nitrogen cannot be bonded directly to a hydrogen atom, nor can Z contain any other labile hydrogen atoms. The reason for these requirements is that the labile hydrogen atom may react with the tin-containing reagent used to prepare the final product, resulting in formation of a tin-nitrogen bond or a stannic hydride. These classes of compounds are not within the scope of the present invention. When only two of the three valences of a nitrogen atom are satisfied by bonds to cyclic atoms of the "Z" group the remaining valence is preferably satisfied by a hydrocarbyl group such as alkyl.

Suitble aromatic heterocyclic precursors include halogen-containing N-hydrocarbyl pyrroles, 3,3-dihydrocarbyl isopyrroles, N-hydrocarbyl pyrazoles, 2,2-dihydrocarbyl-1,3-isodiazoles and triazoles, isoxazole, oxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, the isomeric halogen-containing triazines, halogenated benzofuran, benzothiofuran, N-hydrocarbyl indoles, benzoxazole, quinoline and isoquinoline. While the exact nature of the hydrocarbon substituents specified for some of the foregoing heterocyclic compounds is not critical, lower alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred.

The "Z" group may contain one or more substituents such as hydrocarbyl, halogen, alkoxy, N,N-dialkylamino and alkylthio in addition to the halogen atom which reacts with a tin-containing precursor to form the present compounds.

Specific examples of preferred compounds which are useful as insecticides include trimethyl-2-pyridyltin, trimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyltiin, trimethyl-2-furyltin, trimethyl-p-methoxyphenyltin, trimethyl-2-thienyltin, trimethyl-p-aminophenyltin, trimethyl-p-N,N-diethylaminophenyltin, trimethyl-p-chlorophenyltin, trimethylbenzyltin, trimethyl-5-pyrimidyltin and the methiodide thereof, trimethyl-3-pyridyltin and the methiodide thereof, trimethyl-p-carbethoxyphenyltin, trimethyl-p-cyanophenyltin, trimethyl-p-chlorobenzyltin, trimethyl-p-methylbenzyltin, trimethyl-2-thienylmethyltin, trimethyl-2-naphthylmethyltin, trimethyl-p-biphenylmethyltin, trimethyl(p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl)tin methiodide and trimethyl-4-potassiocarboxyphenyltin.

The present tetraorganotin compounds exhibit significantly reduced levels of phytotoxicity relative to trimethyltin compounds such as trimethyltin chloride and trimethyltin acetate and effectively control insects on all types of agricultural and ornamental crops.

For use as insecticides, the organotin compounds of this invention are preferably incorporated into compositions which comprise an inert carrier and one or more of the organotin compounds. (As used herein an inert carrier is defined as a solvent or a dry bulking agent which has substantially no insecticidal effectiveness but which provides a means whereby the organotin compounds can be diluted for convenient application). Such insecticidal compositions enable the organotin compounds to be applied in a convenient and controlled manner to plants in any desired quantity. These compositions can be solids, such as dusts, or granules or wettable powders, or they can be liquids such as solutions, aerosols, or emulsions. For application to plants the compositions generally contain from about 2 to 80% of the organotin compound depending on a number of factors including physical properties and mammalian toxicity of the compound. The concentration of organotin compound in the final spray mixture will be generally in the range from about 1 to 1,000 ppm. (parts per million), preferably from about 10 to 500 ppm. Generally, whatever application technique is used, the amount of organotin compound applied should be of the order of from about 0.01 to about 3.0 pounds, preferably from about 0.1 to about 1.0 pound per acre of crop, depending on type of crop, foliage density and the severity of the infestation.

For convenience in bulk handling, the compositions are generally formulated as concentrates which can be diluted to the desired usage level with water, organic solvent or other inert carrier just prior to use.

Dusts can be prepared by blending the organotin compounds with a solid inert carrier such as talcs, clays, silicas, pyrophylite and the like. Granular formations can be prepared by inpregnating the organotin compounds, usually dissolved in a suitable solvent, onto and into granulated carriers such as the attapulgites or the vermiculites, usually of a particle size range of from about 0.3 to 1.5 mm., or by coating a solid inert carrier with a wettable powder formulation of the compounds. Wettable powders, which can be dispersed in water or oil to any desired concentration of the organotin compounds, can be prepared by incorporating wetting agents into concentrated dust compositions.

The organotin compounds of the present invention are sufficiently soluble or dispersible in the common organic solvents such as kerosene, xylene, Stoddard Solvent, acetone, and the like, that they can be used directly as solutions or dispersions in these solvents. Frequently these solutions or dispersions are dispensed under super-atmospheric pressure as aerosols. Preferred liquid insecticidal compositions for the practice of the invention herein are emulsifiable concentrates which comprise the organotin compound, an emulsifier, and, as an inert carrier, a solvent. Such concentrates can be extended with water and/or oil to the desired concentration of organotin compound for application as sprays to the plants which are to be treated. The emulsifiers used in these concentrates are surface active agents of the anionic, nonionic, cationic, ampholytic or zwitterionic type and normally comprise from about 0.1% to 30% by weight of the concentrate. The emulsifiers can be used singly or in mixtures. Examples of suitable anionic surface active agents are alkali metal and alkaline earth metal (e.g., sodium and calcium) salts of fatty alcohol sufates having from 8-18 carbon atoms in the fatty chain and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal (e.g., sodium and calcium) salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates, having from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Examples of suitable nonionic surface active agents are the polyethylene oxide condensates of fatty alcohols, wherein the fatty chain contains from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms and the amount of ethylene oxide condensed onto each mole of fatty alcohol is from about 5 to 25 moles. Examples of suitable cationic surface active agents are dimethyl dialkyl quaternary ammonium salts wherein the alkyl chains contain from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the salt forming anion is a halogen. Examples of suitable ampholytic surface active agents are derivatives of aliphatic secondary or tertiary amines in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group, e.g., sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate. Specific suitable ampholytic surface active agents are sodium-3-dodecylamino propionate and sodium-3-dodecylamino propane sulfonate. Examples of suitable Zwitterionic surface active agents are derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic constituents contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group. Specific examples of Zwitterionic surface active agents are 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio) propane-1-sulfonate and 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxy propane-1-sulfonate. Many other suitable surface active agents are described in McCutchen's Detergents and Emulsifiers -- 1972 Ed., Allured Pub. Co., Ridgewood, N.J., which is incorporated by reference herein. Suitable solvents for these emulsifiable concentrates include hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, kerosene and Stoddard Solvent and halogenated hydrocarbons such as chlorobenzene, chloroform, fluorotrichloromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane. Solvents can be used singly or in mixtures.

The following examples describe the preparation of representative compounds encompassed by the accompanying claims and demonstrate the efficacy of these compounds as insecticides which can be applied to living plants. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLE 1 -- Preparation of Trimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyltin

To a reaction vessel equipped with a mechanically driven agitator, water-cooled condenser, addition funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet was added 0.15 mole of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl magnesium bromide in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The Grignard reagent was prepared by the addition of a solution of 41.5 g (0.2 mole) of 3,4-methylene dioxybromobenzene in 200 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran to 7.29 g. (0.3 g. atoms) of magnesium turnings over 90 minutes at reflux temperature. The mixture was held at reflux temperature for an additional two hours, then cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove excess magnesium metal. A solution containing 30 g. (0.15 mole) of trimethyltin chloride in 150 cc. of anhydrous benzene was added to the Grignard reagent over 20 minutes while the reaction temperature was maintained at 20° C. by use of external cooling. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours and then hydrolyzed with 300 cc. of a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained below 40° C. during the hydrolysis. The aqueous phase was then separated from the organic phase and washed twice with 100 cc. of ether. The organic phases were combined, dried over a quantity of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. A black liquid was isolated (52.3 g.) which was distilled under reduced pressure (1.2 mm.). A clear, colorless liquid boiling at 106°-108° C. was collected (36.3 g.) and analyzed. The tin content was found to be 40.30%, and the chloride content was zero. The calculated tin content for trimethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyltin is 41.67%. The refractive index was recorded as 1.5555 _(D) ²³. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated a purity of 96%. The infrared spectrum of the neat liquid contained absorption bands at 1220 and 1029 cm⁻¹ indicative of a C-O-C stretch for alkyl aryl ethers. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum contained a singlet at 0.25 ppm. (CH₃ -Sn, 9H's), a singlet at 5.83 ppm. (--O--CH₂ --0--, 2H's), and a multiplet centered at 6.95 ppm. (phenyl-C-H, 3H's).

The following trimethylaryltin compounds were prepared by substituting the appropriate organomagnesium bromide for 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl magnesium bromide in the foregoing procedure. The physical properties of the compounds are recorded in Table 1.

Trimethyl-p-methoxyphenyltin

Trimethyl-2-thienyltin

Trimethyl-p-N,N-diethylaminophenyltin

Trimethyl-p-chlorophenyltin

Trimethylbenzyltin

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Physical Properties of Organotin Compounds (Example 1)                         Compounds    B.P. ° C./Pressure                                                                 Refractive                                                                              Purity Elemental Analysis                     (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                        (mm. Hg)   Index (η.sub.D.sup.° C.)                                                     (V.P.C.)*                                                                             Found (Calculated)                     __________________________________________________________________________     R =                                                                            p-methoxyphenyl                                                                             77.5-78° C./0.7 mm.                                                                1.5409.sup.24.5° C.                                                              96.8%  % Sn = 43.53 (43.85)                   2-thienyl    32-33° C./0.08 mm.                                                                 1.5421.sup.25.5° C.                                                              98.5%  % Sn = 47.11 (48.08)                                                           % S = 12.76 (12.99)                    p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl                                                                    49-50° C.**                                                                        --       98.0%  % Sn = 38.25 (38.04)                   p-chlorophenyl                                                                              63-66° C./0.4 mm.                                                                  1.5505.sup.23° C.                                                                96.8%  % Sn = 40.53 (43.11)                                                           % Cl = 12.80 (12.88)                   benzyl       89-92° C./9 mm.                                                                    1.5426.sup.25° C.                                                                94.6%  % Sn = 44.98 (46.56)                   __________________________________________________________________________      *vapor phase chromatography                                                    **melting point                                                          

EXAMPLE 2 --Preparation of Trimethyl(p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl)-tin Methiodide

A 250 cc. capacity round-bottom flask was charged with 6.3 g. (0.02 mole) of trimethyl(p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl)-tin and 15 cc. (0.24 mole) of methyl iodide. The flask was fitted with a reflux condenser and a tube containing anhydrous calcium chloride and the contents were stirred while being heated at reflux temperature for three hours. White crystals gradually formed during the heating period. The mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature was stirred for 17 hours. At the end of this period the solids were filtered from the excess methyl iodide and washed with 50 cc. of hexane. The white solids were dried under reduced pressure for 18 hours. The dried solids (8.97 g., 98% yield) melted from 164°-165° C. Upon analysis the solid was found to contain 24.99% tin, 28.36% iodine and 3.12% nitrogen. The calculated analysis for the expected product, trimethyl(p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl)-tin methiodide, is 26.14% tin, 27.96% iodine and 3.09% nitrogen. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum, obtained using a solution of the compound in deuterated chloroform, contained a singlet at 0.33 ppm. (CH₃ --Sn, 9H's), a triplet at 1.18 ppm. (CH₃ of ethyl, 6H's), a singlet at 3.78 ppm. (CH₃ --N.sup.⊕, 3H's). a quartet at 4.39 ppm. (--CH₃ --N.sup.⊕, 4H's) and a symmetrical multiplet centered at 8.24 ppm. ##STR5## all of which are consistent with the expected structure.

The methiodide of trimethyl-3-pyridyltin was obtained using the foregoing procedure and substituting trimethyl-3-pyridyltin for the p-N,N-diethylaminophenyl derivative. The compound was found to contain 30.91% tin (calculated value = 30.92%) and 32.50% iodine (calculated value = 33.06%). The compound melted within the range from 137 to 143° C.

EXAMPLE 3 --Preparation of Trimethyl-4-aminophenyltin

To a reaction vessel equipped with a mechanically driven agitator, water-cooled condenser, addition funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet was added 80 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether of diethylene glycol and 8 g. (0.35 mole) of freshly cut sodium pieces. The mixture was cooled to -2° C. and a solution of 52.4 g. (0.16 mole) of hexamethylditin in 80 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether of diethylene glycol was added over 20 minutes. The hazy green mixture was stirred for one additional hour at 0° C. and then allowed to warm to room temperature over three hours. The mixture was filtered and then added dropwise over a two hour period to a solution of 30.98 g. (0.17 mole) p-bromoaniline in 160 cc. of diethyl ether of diethylene glycol, cooled to -5° C. The solution was stirred 7 hours at -5° C., 5 hours at 0° C., and 24.5 hours at room temperature before being hydrolyzed using 250 cc. of a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The water phase was separated from the organic phase, filtered, and washed with 500 cc. of ether. The organic layers were combined, dried over a quantity of magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The solvent was removed at 50 mm. pressure (mercury manometer) and the residue distilled at 0.35 mm. A clear liquid fraction boiling at 87-95° C. was isolated. Upon analysis the tin content was found to be 48.35% and the nitrogen content 6.20%. The calculated tin and nitrogen content for trimethyl-4-aminophenyltin is 46.38% and 5.4%, respectively. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated a purity of 94.8%. The refractive index was recorded as 1.5811 at 24° C. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum contained a singlet at 0.2 ppm. (CH₃ --Sn, 9H's), a broad singlet at 3.5 ppm. (H₂ N--, 2H's) and a doublet of doublets centered at 6.78 ppm. ##STR6## The infrared spectrum of the neat liquid contained a strong absorption double at 3350 and 3300 cm.⁻¹ indicative of a primary aromatic amine N--H "stretch".

EXAMPLE 4 --Preparation of Trimethyl-4-carbethoxyphenyltin

Trimethyl-4-carbethoxyphenyltin was prepared using the procedure described in Example 3 and substituting a stoichiometrically equivalent amount of ethyl-p-bromobenzoate in place of p-bromoaniline. The product boiled from 88 to 90° C., was found to contain 37.54% tin (calculated value for the expected product = 37.92%) and exhibited an index of refraction of 1.5362 at 23° C. Analysis by vapor phase chromatography indicated that the compound was 97% pure. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum contained a singlet at 0.38 ppm. (CH₃ --Sn, 9H's), a triplet at 1.45 ppm. (CH₃ --, 3H's), a quartet at 4.50 ppm. ##STR7## and a doublet of doublets at 7.86 ppm. (p-phenylene, 4H's). This spectrum is consistent with the structure of the expected product.

EXAMPLE 5 --Preparation of trimethyl-p-acetylphenyltin

To a reaction vessel equipped with a mechanically-driven agitator, water-cooled condenser, addition funnel, thermometer and nitrogen inlet was added a mixture containing 2.76 g. (0.12 g. atom) of sliced sodium metal and 30 cc. anhydrous diethyl ether of diethylene glycol. A solution containing 16.38 g. (0.05 mole) of hexamethylditin dissolved in 30 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether of diethylene glycol was added gradually over a 15 minute period. The green suspension was stirred for 19 hours at ambient temperature, after which it was filtered. The resultant green solution was added over a 30 minute period to a solution containing 23.9 g. (0.12 mole) of p-bromoacetophenone in 120 cc. of anhydrous diethyl ether of diethylene glycol which had been cooled to 0° C. in an ice and methanol bath. Stirring was continued for one hour after which time the solution was allowed to warm to ambient temperature, held for one hour, and hydrolyzed using 150 cc. of a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The organic phase of the resultant two-phase liquid was separated and the aqueous phase extracted with a 100 cc. portion of diethyl ether. The ether was then combined with the aforementioned organic phase, dried over a portion of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered to remove solids and finally concentrated under reduced pressure (water aspirator). The resultant cloudy yellow liquid weighed 32.6 g. and was distilled under reduced pressure (0.6 mm. of mercury). A light yellow fraction boiling from 108 to 110° C. was isolated and upon analysis was found to contain 41.32% by weight of tin. The calculated tin content of trimethyl-p-acetylphenyltin is 41.96%. Vapor phase chromatography of the product indicated that it was 98.4% pure. The infrared spectrum of the neat liquid contained a strong absorption band at 1680 cm.⁻¹ indicative of the carbonyl portion of acetophenone. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum contained a singlet at 0.52 ppm. (CH₃ --Sn, 9H's), a doublet at 2.8 ppm. (CH₃ CO, 3H's) and a symmetrical multiplet centered at 8.0 ppm. ##STR8## all of which are consistent with the expected structure.

EXAMPLE 6 --Preparation of Trimethyl-4-potassiocarboxyphenyltin

To a reaction vessel equipped with a mechanically driven agitator, water-cooled condenser, thermometer and nitrogen inlet was added a solution containing 3.23 g. (0.010 mole) of trimethyl-4-carbethoxyphenyltin and 25 cc. of methanol. A solution containing 0.73 g. (0.013 mole) of potassium hydroxide dissolved in 25 cc. of 90% methanol and 10% water was added at once and the resulting solution was stirred for 23 hours at room temperature, and 25 hours at the boiling point. An additional 0.11 g. of potassium hydroxide was added and heating at the boiling point was continued for 2.5 hours, followed by 16 hours of stirring at room temperature. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the resultant white solids were dried and analyzed. The tin content was found to be 31.53% and the potassium content was 14.71%. The calculated tin and potassium values for trimethyl-4-potassiocarboxyphenyltin are 36.75% and 12.11%, respectively.

EXAMPLE 7 --Preparation of Trimethyl-2 -pyridyltin

To a reaction vessel equipped with a mechanically driven agitator, water-cooled condenser, addition funnel, thermometer, and nitrogen inlet was added a solution containing 40.0 g. (0.316 mole) of 2-bromopyridine in 400 cc. of anhydrous ether. The solution was cooled to -50° C. using a dry ice-acetone bath. By a dropwise addition, 127 cc. (0.316 mole) of n-butyllithium in n-hexane was added over 25 minutes. The resulting black mixture was stirred for additional 30 minutes. A solution containing 59.8 g. (0.30 mole) of trimethyltin chloride in 200 cc. of anhydrous benzene was added over 40 minutes, followed by a one-hour stirring period. The dark orange solution was warmed to -30° C. over a one-hour period, held at -30° C. for one hour and warmed to room temperature before being hydrolyzed with a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride. The aqueous phase was separated from the organic phase and washed with 200 cc. of ether. The organic portions were combined, dried over a quantity of anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. A dark red liquid (73.9 g.) was isolated and distilled under reduced pressure (0.22 mm). A light yellow liquid fraction boiling at 38°-40° C. was collected and analyzed. The tin content was found to be 47.97%. The calculated tin content for trimethyl-2-pyridyltin is 49.07%. Gas chromatographic analysis indicated a purity of 97% and the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum contained a singlet at 0 ppm. (CH₃ --Sn, 9H's), a complex multiplet centered at 7.0 ppm. (β- and γ-pryidyl H's, 3H's) and a complex doublet at 8.4 ppm. (α-pyridyl H, 1H).

The following tetraorganotin compounds containing three methyl and one heterocyclic radical bonded to the tin atom were prepared using the foregoing procedure with the substitution of the corresponding brominated heterocyclic compound for 2-bromopyridine.

Trimethyl-2-furyltin

Trimethyl-5-pyrimidyltin

Trimethyl-3-pyridyltin

The physical properties of these compounds are recorded in Table 2.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Physical Properties of Tetraorganotin Compounds (Example 2)                    Compounds                                                                             B.P. ° C./Pressure                                                                 Refractive                                                                              Purity Elemental Analysis                           (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                  (mm. Hg)   Index (η.sub.D ° C.)                                                         (V.P.C.)*                                                                             Found (Calculated)                           __________________________________________________________________________     R =                                                                            2-furryl                                                                              64-65° C./18 mm.                                                                   1.4965.sup.25° C.                                                                98.6%  % Sn = 50.99 (41.45)                                                           % O = 6.6 (6.9)                              5-pyrimidyl                                                                           119-120° C./19mm.                                                                  1.5439.sup.25° C.                                                                97.0%  % Sn = 48.14 (48.47)                                                           % N = 11.81 (11.53)                          3-pyridyl                                                                             100-103° C./6.5 mm.                                                                1.5399.sup.25° C.                                                                98%    % Sn = 48.89 (49.07)                                                           % N = 5.26 (5.79)                                                              % C = 39.09 (39.72)                                                            % H = 5.14 (5.42)                            __________________________________________________________________________      *vapor phase chromotography                                              

A number of representative compounds were evaluated to determine their efficacy as control agents for the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), larvae of the codling moth (Laspeyresia pomonella), western spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) and peach aphid (Myzus persicae).

The compounds evaluated were applied to plants in the form of aqueous dispersions containing the desired concentration of organotin compound. Solid compounds were combined with a small amount of a wettable powder to form a concentrate, which was subsequently diluted to the final concentration with water containing 0.5% of a commercial anionic surfactant. Liquid compounds were dissolved in a small amount of acetone and the resultant concentrate was brought to the final dilution using water containing 0.5% of the aforementioned anionic surfactant.

The following procedures were employed to evaluate the efficacy of representative compounds as control agents for the aforementioned insects.

Procedure 1 -- Beet Armyworm

A cotton plant was grown until it developed two fully expanded leaves. The plant was then dipped into an aqueous dispersion of the test compound and allowed to dry for 30 minutes. The two fully expanded leaves were then removed and placed in petri dishes. Five third instar larvae of the beet armyworm were placed in each dish. The dishes were stored for six days in a chamber maintained at a temperature of 26-27° C. and a relative humidity of 80% , at the end of which time a mortality count was taken.

Procedure 2 -- Tobacco Budworm (Stomach and Contact Test)

Newly developed tobacco leaves were treated as described for the cotton plants in Procedure 1. A section of the leaf was then placed in a petri dish. Larvae of the tobacco budworm were placed on the treated leaves, which were then stored for two days at 26-27 C. and 80% relative humidity, at the end of which time a mortality count was taken.

Procedure 3 -- Codling Moth Larvae

An aqueous dispersion of the test chemical was applied to apples or pears, which were then covered with eggs of the codling moth. The eggs had previously been dipped in the same aqueous dispersion applied to the fruit. The fruit was then incubated from eight to ten days in a greenhouse, at which time the percentage of living larvae was determined and compared with the results from a sample of untreated fruit used as a control.

Procedure 4 -- Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle Larvae

Seventy-five grams of air-dried soil were placed in a 236 cc. capacity round bottle and treated with sufficient volume of a solution containing 400 ppm. of the chemical to give 25 ppm. of toxicant on an air-dried soil basis. The treated soil, after being allowed to air dry, was mixed by shaking and rolling.

Eggs of the western spotted cucumber beetle (laid over a period of 3 or 4 days) were collected and a measured quantity of eggs were suspended in water. The egg concentration was 70-80 eggs/0.5 cc. of solution. A portion of the suspension containing about 50 eggs were pipetted into the bottom of a clear plastic medicinal vial. An amount of treated soil sufficient to cover the eggs was added, a corn seed was placed on the soil and covered with additional treated soil.

The soil, eggs and seed mix was watered and additional water added as necessary to maintain growth of the seedling corn plant. Care was taken not to add excess water sufficient to drown the larvae. After a period of from 6-9 days an observation was made to determine the presence of larvae both on top of the soil and at the roots of the seedling.

Procedure 5-Peach Aphid

Cotton plants were grown singly in small square pots. Before the leaves were fully expanded the plant was infested by placing the leaves in contact with leaves from plants which had previously been infested with peach aphids. An aqueous dispersion of the test chemical was then injected into the root zone of the infested plants, and the plants were kept in a greenhouse for from three to six days following treatment with the test compound, at which time a mortality count was made.

A number of the preferred tetraorganotin compounds were evaluated as insecticides using the foregoing procedures. The results of these evaluations are summarized in the following tables. The efficacy of the compounds listed in the first six tables is expressed using the term LC_(x), which represents the concentration in parts per million (ppm.) that was lethal to a specified percentage of the population, indicated by "x". All initial screening of the compounds was done at a concentration of 400 ppm. except for the western spotted cucumber beetle, in which instance the concentration was 25 ppm.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                         Beet Armyworm (Procedure 1)                                                    Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                          LC.sub.100 (in ppm.)                                   ______________________________________                                         R =                                                                            2-pyridyl                100                                                    ##STR9##               <25                                                    Controls                                                                       phenyl                  >400                                                   o-tolyl                 >400                                                   2,5-xylyl               >400                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Tobacco Budworm (Procedure 2)                                                  Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                          LC.sub.100 (in ppm.)                                   ______________________________________                                         R =                                                                            benzyl                  100                                                    4-N,N-diethylaminophenyl                                                                               <25                                                    3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl                                                                               <25                                                    2-pyridyl               <25                                                    2-furyl                 100                                                    2-thienyl               100                                                    3-pyridyl               100                                                    5-pyrimidyl             <25                                                    3-pyridyl methiodide    <25                                                    4-N,N-diethylaminophenyl methiodide                                                                    <25                                                    Controls                                                                       phenyl                  >400                                                   o-tolyl                 >400                                                   2,5-xylyl               >400                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Codling Moth Larvae (Procedure 3)                                              Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                          LC.sub.70 (in ppm.)                                    ______________________________________                                         R =                                                                            benzyl                  <25                                                    4-methoxyphenyl         <25                                                    4-chlorophenyl          <25                                                    4-N,N-diethylaminophenol                                                                               <25                                                    3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl                                                                               25                                                     2-pyridyl               25                                                     2-furyl                 <25                                                    3-pyridyl               <25                                                    3-pyridyl methiodide    <25                                                    4-N,N-diethylaminophenyl methiodide                                                                    100                                                    Controls                                                                       phenyl                  >400                                                   2,5-xylyl               >400                                                   ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle                                                (Procedure 4)                                                                  Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                          LC.sub.100 (in ppm.)                                   ______________________________________                                         R =                                                                            benzyl                  6                                                      4-methoxyphenyl         6                                                      4-chlorophenyl          6                                                      4-N,N-diethylaminophenyl                                                                               6                                                      2-pyridyl               <1.5                                                   2-furyl                 6                                                      3-pyridyl               <1.5                                                   3-pyridylmethiodide     <1.5                                                   4-N,N-diethylaminophenyl methiodide                                                                    6                                                      Controls                                                                       phenyl                  >25                                                    2,5-xylyl               >25                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                         Peach Aphid (Procedure 5)                                                      Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                                          LC.sub.95 (in ppm.)                                    ______________________________________                                         R =                                                                            benzyl                  100                                                    4-methoxyphenyl         100                                                    N,N-diethylaminophenyl  100                                                    2-thienyl               <25                                                    5-pyrimidyl             100                                                    Controls                                                                       phenyl                  >400                                                   o-tolyl                 >400                                                   2,5-xylyl               >400                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

A number of the organotin compounds disclosed in the preceding tables were evaluated as post-emergent herbicides to determine the phytotoxicity of these compounds relative to trimethyltin chloride and trimethyltin acetate. The plants used in the evaluation were grown in individual pots to a height of 4 inches (10 cm.). The plants were then sprayed to run-off with an aqueous dispersion containing the desired amount of organotin compound. After being sprayed the plants were kept in a greenhouse for two weeks, at which time the percentage of dead or damaged plants were observed and recorded. The concentration of organotin compound in the dispersion was 500 or 2000 parts per million (ppm.), depending upon the plant being treated. The results of the evaluation are recorded in Table 8. The numbers in each of the columns represent the extent of damage to the plants, rated using a scale of from 0 (no damage) to 100 (plant killed).

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Phytotoxicity of Organotin Compounds (% Dead or Damaged Plants)                          Barnyard          Jimson                                                                              Sugar                                                                               Velvet                                   Compound (CH.sub.3).sub.3 SnR                                                            Grass Wild Oat                                                                             Corn  Weed Beets                                                                               Leaf                                     R =       2000 ppm.                                                                            2000 ppm.                                                                            2000 ppm.                                                                            500 ppm.                                                                            500 ppm.                                                                            500 ppm.                                 __________________________________________________________________________     chloro (control)                                                                         100   100   80    95   100  80                                       acetoxy (control)                                                                        100   30    50    100  98   100                                      2-furyl   0     0     0     0    0    0                                        5-pyrimidyl                                                                              0     0     0     0    '    0                                        3-pyridyl 0     0     0     0    0    0                                        2-pyridyl 10    10    10    0    20   0                                        4-chlorophenyl                                                                           0     0     --    --   --   0                                        benzyl    0     0     --    --   --   0                                        __________________________________________________________________________      -- = compound not tested                                                  

What is claimed is:
 1. A composition for killing insects on useful plants, the composition consisting essentially of an inert diluent and an insecticidally effective amount of a tetraorganotin compound of the formula ##STR10## herein said --O--CH₂)_(p) O-- group is bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the phenyl ring, m is 0 or 1 and p is 1 or
 2. 2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said tetraorganotin compound is ##STR11##
 3. A method for killing insects on useful plant crops by applying to said plant crops an insecticidally effective amount of a tetraorganotin compound of the formula ##STR12## wherein said --O (CH₂)_(p) O-- group is bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of the phenyl ring, m is 0 or 1 and p is 1 or
 2. 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said tetraorganotin compound is ##STR13## 